OSCE Thoughts - Introductory Blog Part 2

Meet our course lead

In this second introductory blog, I am going to tell you all about me - Anjali!

I am the lead tutor for all the TeachTrainGo courses. In addition, I will teach most of the sessions. 

But you might be wondering - 

• Who am I? 

• Why should you trust me? 

•  What knowledge do I hold to upskill you in your OSCE as I am not a doctor?

All of the above are valid questions, especially if you wish to attend our courses.  

As I have already stated on the website, I have worked in medical education within a number of roles for 23 years: 

Being simulated patient for undergraduate OSCES 

I was around when the OSCEs first became a thing over two decades ago. I have seen how, in that time, they have changed and developed into what they are today and how they are approached. 

I see first-hand what excellent best practice looks like and what avoidable mistakes are continually made. 

But for me, one thing never changes. I find it frustrating to come across a medically excellent candidate, where I'm thinking, “If I were unwell, I would be in safe hands,” then seeing them leave the station with a borderline pass because they did not communicate properly or build rapport. I see the same mistakes again and again. 

And this was at the forefront of my mind when I put TeachTrainGo’s modules together. 

I teach OSCE communication skills at several institutions.

This is one aspect of medical education I love. I get to see the good I do with the insight I have into where improvements must be made in OSCE performance.  I am approaching it from a different angle than other regular communication skills teaching.

I do not just do a generic, one-size-fits-all class. I can help with a student's specific issues from any practice OSCEs they may have had. 

The classes I teach at multiple medical schools get incredible feedback. Unfortunately, these are one-off lessons that last a couple of hours; therefore, I am limited in what I can cover. In fairness to colleges, a medical student's curriculum is so tightly packed that fitting in specific simulated patient-led communication skills on a regular basis is near impossible. 

That is why I wanted to offer the opportunity to cover everything you need to know in these expanded and detailed classes through TeachTrainGo.

Being part of the team that creates OCSE Exam scenario settings for undergraduates

In the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to be part of the team that creates the forthcoming OSCE scenarios at a leading medical school. 

This has allowed me to view and understand an OSCE scenario in a completely alternative way to a simulated patient's. I understand the thinking behind what skills the examiners are testing. I see the thought process behind every element of the mark sheet and how each scenario needs to cover that.

It is something that has uniquely shaped my teaching to help students pass with flying colours.

Working with Post Graduate/Junior Doctor's

I have been a simulated patient for:

• MRCP PACES

• Plabs

• Fellowship PACES and their training courses 

• GMC

I see what help junior doctors need when they reach the post graduate exam stage.

What does my experience mean and how I can help?

• I understand how lost many medical students may feel.

• I have a good insight into what each type of practical exam requires. 

• A wealth of knowledge on how to communicate effectively.

• How to marry clinical skills with communication skills.

• How to break down the communication side.

• What candidates can do to improve.

• What candidates can do differently. 

• What the common mistakes I continue to see students make.

• How to avoid the common mistakes. 

• How to tailor your communications skills to each scenario to get the best results. 

Now this brings us to the reason I am writing this blog - to give you food for thought regarding different aspects of your OSCE. However, it will only tell you what you may need to think about, not how to apply it. For that, it is best to attend the course. But I will endeavour to be as informative as I can in these blogs to help you. 

Good luck with your OSCE development! 

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